Strand distributor



n Nov. 2 1926.

H. R. MASSINGHAM STRAND DISTRIBUTOR Filed Deo. 29. 1922 J r m E i 5@ W A s n! Mh TH O w n lll.. sx 6 W Z Q n ,7|\\ E wwwz n H a )f f z l z Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES HENRY ROGERS MAssINGHAM, or `LA GRANGE, ILM/Noris, As'srenoR ToWEsTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK,

NEW YORK.

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF STRAND DISTRIBUTOR.

Application mea recenter 29, 1922. senti Nd'. 60s/,637;

This invention relates to strand distributors for use 1n strand working machines, and more particularly to a distributor for wire twisting or stranding machines used in 5v the manufacture of telephone cables, which are built up from twisted pairs of wires. b

The object of the invention in general is to produce a strand distributor in which `a maximum number 'of pairs of strands may be positioned within a given diameter, to Afurnish better access for threading the strands through the distributor in loading the stranding machine, and to prevent the breaking of the strands during the operation of the machine. i y y V y In accordance with the general features of the invention, the distributor comprises an open drum mounting, carrying a plurality of radially disposed, equally spaced pins `formed in two rows, the pins in one row being staggered with respect to those in the other. This arrangement provides a maximum clearance between the strands as they are drawn through the distributor and separates the pairs from each other before they engage the angle forming member of the distributor. Mounted closely around the pins is an adjustable guard which is adapted to be moved therefrom to permit convenient access to the pins in loading the stranding machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following descriptionV and particularly pointed out in i the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a distributor constructed in accordance with the inven-` tion;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof shown mounted on a stranding machine, and l Figli is a fragmentary plan view of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings 1n detail,

10 represents a portion ofthe frame ofaV stranding machine, and`11 is a'hollow shaft' upon which the distributor is mounted- Se-V flange 16. A drum 17 is provided having an axial opening 18 through which the core of the cable being worked on is drawn. Radially disposed around the periphery of the drum, and suitably mounted therein are a plurality of hardened steel pins 19, the pins 19 being formed in two 4rows and equally spaced, with thepins in one row set intermediate or lstaggered with respect to the pins in the other. Between the pins of each pairin each row are drawn two pairs of twisted wire, each twisted pair being indicated by the numeral 20.V The two i pairs of wire between the pins Aof each pair of pins are spaced apartdue to the staggeredy arrangement of the two rows of pins; Mounted on the forward'v end of the drum 17 is a `shouldered guide. ring `or angle forming member 21 Vof jhardened steel provided with anV axial opening fha-ving the same diameter as the axial opening 18,y in the drum. The "guide ring 21 isfsecuredto the drum 17 Vby the studs 14 which fpass therethrough,v the druni and guide ring beingy c lampedlagainst the flanges 16";on the studs by' nuts l22 screw threaded onto the ends ofthe studs.` j i Positioned outside of the pins 19 is a sta-Y tionary 'guard 24 which is spaced apart from the endsrofv thepins a suiicient distance to prevent engagementtherewith. At its lower sidefthe lguardy 24 is provided with a lug V25 for .securing it, to a support 26 slidably mounted on studs'A 27, suitably secured in they frame of the stranding ma chine. A strap 28 is 'secured at either end to the studs 27 whichV functions as ai stop for the guard support when itis 'brought forward to its normal position as shown'in full lines in the drawing. The guard is locked in its normal positionk by `thumb screws 29 threaded into. the support 26. The guard is secured to the supportingmeme` ber26 by vbolts passing through slots lformed in the lug 25V and the support 26 at rightr angles to each other (Fig. 1) whereby the guard may kbe h orizontallyrandA `vertically Y adjusted to facilitate installation-and fon mounting` the guard centered with respect to the distributor pins 19. Y y

Before threadingthe wires into position in loading the stranding machine, the guard 24 is first moved to the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 2 after loosening the thumb screws 29. rIhe wires then may be led from the supply reels (not shown) over suitable guides (not shown) and radially positioned or distributed around the distributor to give the desired arrangement of wire in the cable to be stranded.

In positioning the wires between the pins around the drum, they are merely passed over and between the ends thereof, and then led over the guide ring 2l, and through a polisher 33 partially shown in Fig. 2.

Ai'ter the distribution of the wires around the drum the guide 24 is moved back to its normal position to prevent the wires when the machine is in operation, Yfrom looping over the ends of the pins and becoming entangled.

. Due to the staggered arrangement of the pins, which provides a maximum space between the wires, there is less likelihood ot the pairs of wires becoming entangled due to any unevenness in the twist in either paii oft wires. Also since the wires pass between the pins before they engage the ring 2l the pairs are more easily separated since no radially directed pressure is encountered at such a point, than if the separation were attempted as they pass over the ring where considerable radial pressure exists.

Also since all of the strands as they pass over the angle forming ring 2l are the same distance 'from the common axis of such ring and the polisher 33 it is evident that .they will assume a :truste-conical formation and approach the polisher at uniform angles of incidence thus efectually preventing` the entanglement of the strands during the air passage from the distributor to the polisher.

Further advantages oi' the distributor made in accordance with this invention reside in the :tact that one distributor may be employed equally well 'for any number of pairs of strands not exceeding its capacity and broken or worn pins may be readily replaced individually without dismantling the mafhine.

llVhat is claimed is:

l. A strand distributor fior cable stranding machines comprising a drum secured to a rotatable member oit the machine and a plurality of pins mounted in staggered relation around the periphery thereorn for distributing the strands.

2. A strand distributor for cable stranding machines comprising a drum secured to a rotatable member o't' the machine. and a plurality of pins carried by and arranged in rows around the periphery thereof, the pins in one row being set equidistant between the pins in an adjacent row.

3. In a cable stranding machine the combination with a rotatable member thereof, a strand distributor drum carried thereby, a plurality of pins mounted thereon and around the periphery thereotl for distributing the strands, and a guide ring associated with said drum for spacing the strands from the periphery of said drum to reduce the friction thereon.

4. A strand distributor for strand working machines comprising` a rotatable member, means carried thereby for distributing the strands and a guard for preventing the displacement oi the strands during the operation of the machine, said rotatable member and Guard being adjustable relative to each other.

A strand distributor for strand werk-- ing machines comprising a rotatable member, and a plurality of pins mounted thereon for distributing the strands, and means ior preventing the displacement o the strands during the operation ol the machine.

G. In a cable stranding machine, the (foinbination with a rotatable member tlnxreot. a strand distributor carried thereby. a plurality of pins carried thereon and around the periphery for distributing the strands, and means associated therewith for preventing the displacement of the strands 'from therebetween during the operation or the machine.

7. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a rotatable member thereof, a strand distributor drum carried thereby, a. plurality oi' pins carried thereon and around the periphery 'for distributing the stands, and an adjustable guard for preventing` the displacement or" the strands from therebetween during the operation of the machine.

8. In a` cable stranding machine, the combination with a rotatable member thereo'l, a strand distributor drum carried thereby, a plurality of pins carried thereon and around the periph-ery for distributing the strands, and a stationary guard adjustably positioned about the pins to prevent the displacement of the strands from ther-ebetween during the operation of the machine.

9. A strand distributor for strand working machines comprising a rotatable member, and a plurality of projections in staggered relation thereon t'or distributing the strands.

10. A strand distributor for strand working machines comprising an angle forming member. a rotatable member, and a plurality of projections in staggered relation thereon Jfor distributing the strands over the angle forming member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20th day of December A. D., 1922.

HENRY ROGERS MASSINGrIIAli/I4 

